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Roger Ebert and PBS bring back 'At the Movies'

September 10, 2010 | 12:11
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Film world: Prepare to embrace the thumbs again.

Roger Ebert announced Friday the return of “At the Movies” to PBS stations.

Produced by Ebert and his wife, the weekly half-hour film review program —revamped as “Roger Ebert Presents At the Movies” — will continue the analysis format first made famous by Ebert and Gene Siskel three decades ago.

The announcement comes less than a month after the final episode of the long-running "At the Movies" film review show, which had gone into syndication and was most recently hosted by Michael Phillips of the Chicago Tribune and A.O. Scott of the New York Times.

“I believe that by returning to its public roots, our new show will win better and more consistent time slots in more markets,” Ebert said on his site. “American television is swamped by mindless gossip about celebrities, and I'm happy this show will continue to tell viewers honestly if the critics think a new movie is worth seeing.”

The new version will be produced at the original series’ birthplace, WTTW Chicago, and broadcast on PBS stations nationwide beginning in January. Film critics Christy Lemire of the Associated Press and Elvis Mitchell of NPR will serve as its hosts. The show will also feature contributions from film bloggers Kim Morgan and Omar Moore.